Fr. Ponanaco Macabco, a Franciscan priest, visited our school. He
was originally from the Philippines. He taught us a lot about
missionaries that go to other countries. He thought about having a
profession as a soldier. But when he was 26 years old, he made the
decision to become a missionary.
He showed slide shows about where he has been. He taught us songs.
He helped people fight diseases. He goes to the peoples’ rituals
and joins them in their singing. He taught us prayers and quotes.
He told us a story of Francis of Assisi who healed a person of
leprosy. This is a bad disease. The Lord said to Francis, “Go and
repair my church from its ruin.’’ God lead him to the leper to heal
him. Francis became a saint. He performed many miracles. He got the
Holy Stigmata in his hands, feet, and side. He later got sick and
died. Father looks up to Francis as a role model.
He ended his talk with the closing prayers, Our Father, Hail Mary, and a blessing.